A free joint giveaway during the inauguration may lift the spirits of those concerned over a Donald J. Trump presidency.
Americans are waiting (many on pins and needles) to see what President-Elect Donald Trump will do when he moves into the Oval Office. Some believe he will greenlight Paul Ryan’s plans to reduce costs associated with government entitlement programs. Trump himself has vowed to reverse many executive orders on his first day in office. It appears at least one “entitlement” may remain strong through Inauguration Day.
Advocates for marijuana legalization will be handing out 4,200 joints in Washington D.C. on January 20. The organized protest will start in Dupont Circle with activists then marching to the National Mall. Keeping with the 420 theme, protestors will light up the joints exactly at the 4:20 mark of Trump’s inauguration speech.
“The main message is it’s time to legalize cannabis at the federal level,” said Adam Eidinger, the founder of DCMJ, a group of D.C. activists that helped get Initiative 71 passed. DCMJ is also responsible for organizing the inauguration protest.
Eidinger does not feel his group’s efforts are violating any laws. Recreational marijuana use is legal in Washington D.C., though retail sales have been hindered by congressional interference.
“We don’t want any money exchanged whatsoever. This is really a gift for people who come to Washington, D.C.,” Eidinger said.
Election night was initially viewed as a tremendous success for the marijuana reform movement. A total of eight states approved major reform to their state marijuana laws. The feeling of triumph quickly gave way to familiar fears when Trump announced he would nominate Jeff Sessions for the United States Attorney General position. Sessions has been very public about his disdain for marijuana.
“We are looking at a guy who as recently as April said that they are going to enforce federal law on marijuana all over the country. He said marijuana is dangerous,” Eidinger said.
